Bureau of Reclamation
Great Plains Region
Oklahoma - Texas Area Activity Report

158th Committee Meeting
Oct. 28-30, 2008
Catoosa, Okla.

Introduction

The Oklahoma-Texas Area Office (OTAO) of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is responsible for administering 11 reservoir projects and associated water distribution systems in southern Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.  Reclamation works in conjunction with other Federal agencies, State agencies, Indian tribes, and local entities in performing these responsibilities.  Significant areas of activity include providing oversight of operations and maintenance of existing facilities and providing water resources planning assistance.

The purpose of this Activity Report is to provide a selected summary of current and recent activities of the OTAO.

Ongoing and Recently Completed Activities

PLANNING PROGRAM

General Investigations

Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer (OK), Water Resources Management Special Study

Status   Ongoing

Description

The Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer has been designated a sole source Aquifer by the EPA.  The health and economic future of a large number of Oklahoma residents is dependent upon protecting the quantity and quality of water in the Aquifer.  The Aquifer is an important source of water supply for the citizens of Ada, Sulphur, Mill Creek, and Roff; the Chickasaw National Recreational Area; and many farmers and ranchers owning land overlying the Aquifer.  Contributions from the Aquifer also provide perennial flows for many streams and natural springs in the area.

During recent years, a number of issues have emerged which have caused concern about the utilization and continued health of the Aquifer.  These issues include concern over water use, competition for water, pumping water to areas beyond the recharge zones of the Aquifer, and water quality.  In order to assure the future well-being of the Aquifer, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) entered into a cost-sharing agreement with Reclamation to undertake a five year study of the hydrology within the Aquifer including detailed assessments of the formation hydrogeology, water quality and vulnerability, as well as groundwater-surface water interactions.  The results of this study will provide information that is intended for use in the development of best management practices which will protect the integrity of the Aquifer, change land use and diminish related impacts, and assist in State and Tribal water rights issues.  The study is in the final phase and will be completed by the end of FY 2008.

Walnut and Lower Arkansas River Basins (KS) Water Supply Special Study

Status   Ongoing

Description   The purpose of this Special Study is to assist the State of Kansas and the South Central Kansas Water Coalition counties to address public water supply opportunities in a comprehensive manner.  The Walnut and Lower Arkansas River Basins of Kansas have experienced growth at an increasingly high rate over the last few years, resulting in increasing demands being placed on existing water supplies.  While surface and groundwater supplies are available to meet current and future (2050) demands in the area, they are generally of threatened or poor quality, or are not located in the immediate area of demand.  The primary objective has been to formulate opportunities to meet the future municipal and industrial demands within the study area by investigating various supply sources and associated water treatment and distribution opportunities.  A draft report is currently under revision.

High Plains Ogallala Aquifer (TX) Special Study

Status   Ongoing

Description   Past land use changes have greatly impacted water resources in the Texas high plains, with often opposing effects on water quantity and quality.  Reclamation, in partnership with the University of Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology, and the Texas Water Development Board is undertaking a study to increase the understanding of the processes, including irrigated return flows and controlling diffuse natural recharge to the Ogallala aquifer realized by the conversion of rangeland to dry land agriculture.  The study is in the final year, and results should be presented in a final report early in FY 2009.

High Plains Ogallala Aquifer (KS) Special Study

Status   Ongoing

Description   The Kansas State Water Plan set a 2010 objective of reducing water level declines rates within the Ogallala Aquifer and implement enhanced water management in target areas.  Reclamation is collaborating with the Kansas Water Office, Southwest Groundwater Management District No. 3 (GMD3) and the Kansas Geological Survey to study and obtain an understanding of Ogallala Aquifer characteristics through development of a transient groundwater model of the area under jurisdiction of GMD3.  The model will be used in the characterization of aquifer subunits, determination of water budgets, and testing of possible aquifer response to various management scenarios.  The model is currently under construction, with the study set to conclude at the end of FY 2009.

Fort Cobb Reservoir (OK), Appraisal Investigation of Alternatives for Conveyance System Expansion

Status   Completed December 2006

Description   Fort Cobb Reservoir, a Reclamation Project, serves the municipal and industrial water supply needs of several communities in west-central Oklahoma.  Over the past several years, the Fort Cobb Reservoir Master Conservancy District (District) has experienced periods of difficulty in delivering sufficient water through the Anadarko Aqueduct to meet peak demands of the service population.  Although the total demand has not yet exceeded the amount contracted to the member cities and other water user entities, the actual total deliveries requested during the summer months are approaching the physical limitations of the existing aqueduct.  The purpose of this appraisal study was to evaluate alternatives that would expand the capacity of the District conveyance system.

McPherson (KS), Appraisal Investigation of Water Supply Augmentation

Status   Completed December 2005

Description   The McPherson area of Kansas utilizes groundwater from the Equus Beds Aquifer as the main source of water for rural, municipal, and industrial needs at this time.  This investigation identified and evaluated alternatives to supplement water supplies for future growth and development, including transportation schemes from adjacent local reservoirs such as Kanopolis and Marion, groundwater recharge of the local Aquifer with water from the Little Arkansas River, and re-use of treated effluent of the local communities, and others.  During the evaluation, emphasis was placed on assuring recharge, or reuse, water meets water quality standards.

Lake Thunderbird (OK), Appraisal Investigation of Water Supply Augmentation and Enhancement

Status   Completed August 2005

Description   This Appraisal Study assessed alternatives and opportunities to meet future water needs of the service population of the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District (District), which serves customers from the Norman Project and Lake Thunderbird, a Reclamation Project.  Likely sources of supplemental water were identified in southeastern Oklahoma, which would require the use of Lake Thunderbird as a re-regulating facility.  The study found that the Norman Project could accommodate and re-regulate imported surface water with additional infrastructure and Federal authority from Congress.  A feasibility-level investigation is currently being proposed by project sponsors.  Reclamation received authorization from Congress in FY 2008 to undertake a feasibility study.  However, appropriations were not provided and the feasibility study has not been initiated.

Lake Altus (OK), Appraisal Investigation of Water Supply Augmentation Alternatives

Status   Completed March 2005

Description   The purpose of this Appraisal Report was to analyze the nature of water resource problems and needs confronting the W.C. Austin Project, a Reclamation Project,  and to examine potential opportunities for water supply augmentation.  This study found that the primary problem now confronting the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District (District) is a decreasing storage capacity due to sediment accumulation in Lake Altus.  This storage capacity reduction is intensified by other factors that reduce net deliveries to farms.  The aging delivery infrastructure experiences problems such as excessive conveyance losses and other operational inefficiencies during water deliveries.

Various alternatives were evaluated.  Water supply augmentation alternatives included reusing municipal wastewater for irrigation, constructing a new reservoir upstream of Lake Altus to preserve existing project benefits, and constructing a new reservoir downstream of Lake Altus to supplement the irrigation water supply.  Efficiency improvement alternatives included restoring a hydrologic connection to the upper reservoir pool and eliminating system wasteway diversions during irrigation deliveries.  Although each of the augmentation alternatives was rejected due to high costs and having poor environmental acceptability, as well as involving significant uncertainty, the efficiency alternatives were found to be cost effective.  The District has subsequently implemented several of the water conservation measures identified.

Native American Technical Assistance

Cheyenne-Arapaho (OK), Needs Assessment-Clinton Reserve

Status   Ongoing

Description:   The Clinton Reserve is a mixed-use development consisting of community buildings, elderly living centers, hospitals, and. treatment centers.  A draft engineering appraisal study on the water systems was completed by Reclamation in 2003.  Since that time, the City of Clinton has constructed major improvements to the existing water and sewer distribution system.  These improvements affect the conclusions and recommendations made in the 2003 Report.  The current distribution system is adequate; however, the Tribes are concerned that as development continues on this site, fire protection to the living centers and hospital may not meet current standards.  The Tribes believe addressing water and wastewater system infrastructure issues, in order to ensure future fire protection and water service, is a priority. 

Chickasaw Nation (OK), Study of Water Treatment Alternatives

Status   Ongoing

Description   The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma has requested that Reclamation provide an appraisal-level evaluation of alternatives to treat and/or blend brackish surface water in Lake Texoma to meet regional needs in the southern portion of the Chickasaw Nation.  The water quality of Lake Texoma varies by location, depth, and season, usually ranging from 500 (Washita River Arm) to 1,700 (Red River Arm) ppm of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).  There is an interest in developing additional water supplies to meet anticipated future demands in this area.  Current water needs are met by the local groundwater aquifer, but this resource may not be adequate, or cost-effective, in meeting projected future water demand.  A preliminary report was released in 2007 with a final report scheduled for publication in 2008.

Delaware Nation (OK), Needs Assessment

Status   Completed in July 2005

Description   The Delaware Nation of Oklahoma requested Reclamation assistance with the development and enhancement of water infrastructure associated with two parcels of Tribal land, one near Anadarko and the other near Hinton, Oklahoma.  The preliminary engineering report for the Tribal water distribution system will be used to seek grant funding for construction.

Seminole Nation (OK), Replacement of Pump House and Control System

Status   Complete

Description   The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma has requested that Reclamation provide design assistance in evaluating alternatives for the replacement of a pump house and system control alternatives.  Reclamation had previously, in 2001, provided recommendations based upon the urgency and necessity of repairs on the Sasakwa Rural Water District water system.

Seminole Nation (OK), Needs Assessment-Mekusukey Mission

Status   Ongoing

Description   The Seminole Nation has requested Reclamation to provide an assessment of water supply and infrastructure needs for the Mekusukey Mission Tribal Trust Property (Property).  This property contains the Tribal headquarters building, schools, recreation and food distribution centers, a tax office, a dialysis center, and police station for the Nation.  Outdated water and wastewater treatment infrastructure and water supply shortages for this property are limiting development and straining the local economy.  The Seminole Nation is requesting Reclamation assistance to inventory current water supplies, review and identify infrastructure upgrades, and evaluate potential water development alternatives.

Chickasaw Nation (OK), Artificial Recharge of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer

Status:   Ongoing

Description:   The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma requested Reclamation assist in providing a study methodology for evaluating the local geology in order to determine localized Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer characteristics that influence recharge capability.  The Nation is also requesting that Reclamation review preliminary designs and provide technical recommendations on the ability of a structure to maximize water quality and quantity in the context of existing data available on the local geology.  The estimated time to complete tasks by Reclamation staff is two years.

Construction Programs

Equus Beds Groundwater Recharge Project

Wichita Project, Kansas, City of Wichita, Kansas

On October 5, 2006, the President signed into law P.L. 109-299 authorizing Reclamation to participate in the construction of the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Component as a new Division of the existing Wichita Project.  Reclamation may provide 25 percent up to $30,000,000 (2003 indexed) of the total estimated construction cost.  Authorization for construction expires 10 years from the date of enactment.  There are three remaining phases to the authorized project.  The City completed construction of Phase I prior to authorization.  National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance requirements must be satisfied before construction of Phase II is initiated in order for the project costs to be eligible for Federal reimbursement.  The NEPA compliance activities were started by Reclamation in FY 2008.

BUREAU-WIDE PROGRAMS

Water for America Initiative

In Fiscal Year 2009, and beyond, Reclamation will partner with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to implement the Water for America Initiative.  Water for America is focused on securing water resources for future generations and coping with 21st Century water challenges, including decreasing water supplies caused by potential climate change and population growth.  The FY 2009 budget, submitted by the administration, requests $31.9 million for Water for America activities.

These efforts will focus on two of the three strategies outlined in the initiative, “Plan for Our Nation’s Water Future” and “Expand, Protect, and Conserve Our Nation’s Water Resources.” The USGS will implement the third strategy to “Enhance Our Nation’s Water Knowledge.”

As part of the “Plan for Our Nation’s Water Future” component, Reclamation will initiate a new basin-wide studies program focused on comprehensive water supply and demand to assess the impact of increased water demands on finite water sources.  The basin-wide studies will also examine the impact of various climate change scenarios on water supply and on the ability of existing facilities to supply water in the future.  Additionally, Reclamation will continue to implement the current Investigations Program, which includes planning studies focused on specific water resource issues and opportunities within a relatively localized study area.

The “Expand, Protect, and Conserve Our Nation’s Water Resources” component incorporates the most successful elements of two existing water conservation programs, Water 2025 and the Water Conservation Field Services Program.  Through these programs, Reclamation will use competitive grants and technical assistance, provided on a cost-share basis to willing partners, to stretch existing water supplies, help to avoid the listing of candidate species in high risk watersheds, and attempt to decrease future conflicts over water.

Additionally, Reclamation will accelerate critical Endangered Species Act compliance to maintain and improve Federally listed species and designated critical habitats affected by any Reclamation project and program.

Reclamation is currently developing a plan to implement Water for America in FY 2009.  This plan will be provided to customers and stakeholders in July 2008 for comments and input.

Water 2025 Challenge Grant Program

Through the Water 2025 Challenge Grant Program, Reclamation may provide 50/50 cost-share funding to irrigation and water districts, as well as States, for projects focused on water conservation, efficiency, and water marketing.  Projects are selected through a competitive process based on their ability to meet the goals identified in Water 2025: Preventing Crises and Conflict in the West.  The focus is on projects that can be completed within 24 months that will help to prevent crises over water. More information about the Water 2025 initiative may be found on-line at http://www.doi.gov/water2025.

Recipients of ongoing Water 2025 projects within OTAO include:

• Harlingen Irrigation District (TX)
• City of McAllen (TX)
• Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 (TX)
• Brownsville Irrigation District No. 2 (TX)
• Lugert-Altus Irrigation District (OK)
• Texas Water Development Board (TX)

Contacts

< Back to Agency Reports